Traditional Colonoscopy vs. Virtual Colonoscopy

Unlike the traditional optical scope, the virtual colonoscopy at Advanced Body Scan is fast (generally under 15 minutes), non-invasive, involves minimal prep, and no anesthesia is required. Furthermore, your physician can stop the simulation, zoom in on specific areas of concern, take detailed measurements, and much more. This procedure is also safer with no risk of procedural tear or puncture.

For more information, contact us today. You owe it to yourself and your family to make the call (405) 242-1400.

What Can A Virtual Colonoscopy Detect?

Colon cancer deaths have done down by 35 percent since the early 1990s, thanks to a regular schedule of preventive screenings.

Although as many as 80 percent of colorectal-related deaths are caused by treatable colorectal cancer, and it remains one of the three leading causes of cancer-related deaths in America. More than 50,000 Americans will die this year from this disease.

Colon cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups and is the most often found in people 50 years or older. Since 1996 colorectal cancer has increased at a rate of 2.3 percent for people in their forties and fifties. With a third of rectal cancer patients under the age of 55.

What is Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. Depending on where it starts, it goes by various names such as colon cancer or rectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer generally starts in the innermost layer and can grow outward through some or all the layers of the colon and rectum. When cancer cells are in the wall, they can grow into blood or lymph vessel and can travel to nearby lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.

There are 5 types of cancer:

Adenocarcinomas makes up more than 95% of colorectal cancers. This cancer starts in the cells that make mucus to lubricate the inside of the colon and rectum.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) begin from specialized cells in the wall of the colon, interstitial cells of Cajal. These tumors can be found anywhere in the digestive tract, but are not as common in the colon.

Lymphomas are cancers of the immune system cells and typically start in the lymph nodes. However, they can also start in the colon, rectum, or other organs.

Sarcomas are rare and begin in the blood vessels, muscle layers, or other connective tissues in the wall of the colon and rectum.

Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

Family history of cancer

Over 50

Overweight/Obese

Physical inactivity

Diets high in red meats, processed meats

Diets high in vegetables, fruits, and high grain fibers

Smoking

Heavy alcohol use

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer may not show symptoms right away, but if it does, it may cause one or more of these symptoms.

Change in bowels, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for multiple days

The feeling of needing to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by having one

Rectal bleeding

Blood in the stool

Cramping or abdominal pain

Weakness and fatigue

Unintended weightless

The Virtual Colonoscopy at Advanced Body Scan is the single most effective technology available to simply and non-invasively detect signs of colorectal cancer.

What is Colon Polyps

A colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon. Most are harmless, yet, over time some can develop into colon cancer.

Anyone can develop colon polyps, however, if you are over 50 years of age you are at a higher risk of these developing.

There are two types of colon polyps:

Non-neoplastic include hyperplastic polyps, inflammatory polyps, and hamartomatous polyps. These types typically do not become cancerous.

Neoplastic polyps include adenomas and serrated. These are generally larger than non-neoplastic and have a greater risk of becoming cancerous.

Risk Factors for Colon Polyps

Over the age of 50

Family history of colon polyps or colon cancer

Obesity/Lack of exercise

Smoker

Excessive alcohol

Type 2 diabetes

African-Americans are at higher risk

Inflammatory intestinal conditions (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)

Symptoms of Colon Polyps

Often Colon Polyps shows no symptoms and you may not know you have a polyp until your doctor finds it after an examination.

Some people with Colon Polyps experience:

Rectal bleeding

Change in stool color

Change in bowel habits

Pain

Iron deficiency anemia

Colon Polyps often does not show symptoms, therefore it is important to be screened regularly to monitor the growth of polyps. The earlier polyps are detected and removed, the less likely they will become malignant.

The Virtual Colonoscopy at Advanced Body Scan is the most effective technology available to simply and non-invasively detect signs of Colon Polyps.

What are Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones are hard deposits made from the minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They often form with urine becomes concentrated, this allows the minerals to crystallize and stick together.

Kidney Stones can affect any part of your urinary tract from your kidneys to your bladder. While quite painful, they rarely cause any permanent damage if they are recognized early.

If detected early Kidney Stones can be treated with pain medication and drinking water to help them pass. However, if they become lodged in the urinary tract, surgery could be required.

Advanced Body Scan Provides Virtual Colonoscopies In Oklahoma City

A colonoscopy is a method of detection by which we can assess the condition of the colon, including diseases, obstructions, or inflammation. One of the most common reasons people choose to get a colonoscopy is to preemptively check for cancer.

Our virtual colonoscopies differ from conventional colonoscopies in a number of important ways. First, virtual colonoscopies are virtual, meaning we don’t use an optical scope. Instead, we can take images using our GE Optima CT scanner, which provides us with even better results than the optical scope. Using this method, we can even zoom in on various areas for even more accurate study.

Our virtual colonoscopy involves:

Minimal preparation

No anesthesia

Conventional colonoscopies that involve an optical scope are performed while the patient is awake, but sedated. This, in combination with the length of the procedure, often takes a huge portion out of one’s day. At Advanced Body Scan, however, our virtual colonoscopy in Oklahoma City is usually conducted in as little time as 15 minutes.

What Does a Colonoscopy Detect?

Our virtual colonoscopies can detect :

Colon Cancer

Colon Polyps

Kidney/Gall Stones

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)

Wall Thickening

Gross Annular Lesion

Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis

Abnormal Growth/Inflammation

Some of the main things we look for in our virtual colonoscopies in Oklahoma City include:

Bleeding: Our virtual colonoscopies will detect areas in the colon that are bleeding, and determine the cause. Inflammatory disorders like Crohn’s disease can cause intestinal bleeding, as well as ulcers or polyps. We can determine the exact nature of your intestinal bleeding and its underlying causes.

Inflammation: Inflammatory bowel disease can result in a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including pain and diarrhea. With our GE Optima CT scanner, we can detect inflammation, tissue abnormalities, and other problems throughout the entire surface of the colon.

Abnormal Cells: These often result in polyps. Our GE Optima CT scanner can detect their size, number, and whether or not diseased tissues are also present. Our virtual colonoscopy in Oklahoma City will also detect colon obstructions like tumors.

Who Needs To Get a Colonoscopy?

If you live in the United States, your lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is approximately 6%. This applies to both males and females equally. If you are related to someone who had colon cancer or polyps after the age of 50, your risk doubles. If your relatives were diagnosed with cancer or polyps at a younger age, or you have a high number of relatives with these conditions, your risk is also significantly higher.

There are disorders in which these problems are inherited, such as polyposis syndromes and nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

Other risk factors include:

Crohn’s Disease

Colitis and ulcerative colitis

Heavy alcohol consumption

Obesity

Cigarette smoking

There are a number of symptoms you should watch out for that may indicate the necessity of a colonoscopy in Oklahoma City. These symptoms include:

Bowel habit changes, such as diarrhea, constipation, altering of stool consistency, all of which last longer than four weeks

Bleeding from the rectum

Bloody stools

Persistent abdominal discomfort, cramps, or gas pain

Lack of satisfaction after a bowel movement, such as the feeling that you are not completely empty

Weakness

Fatigue

Sudden, unexplainable weight loss

People around the age of 50 should get a colonoscopy even if none of the above history or symptoms apply to them. This baseline colonoscopy serves to establish a healthy bill of health, or to find problems that may be developing, as this is an age at which people are at a higher risk for problems like colon cancer and other disorders. A colonoscopy follow up should be performed every 10 years afterward or sooner based upon your doctor’s recommendation.

It is important to remember that 50 is not some kind of magic number. It is merely the general age at which researchers and experts have identified people to be at high enough risk to warrant a routine colonoscopy.

No matter what the reason may be, our minimally invasive colonoscopies in Oklahoma City can detect any number of possible colon problems, which is the first step towards determining appropriate and effective treatment.